Crossing the border with Blue Jays beat reporter Jordan Bastian.

Blue Jays agree with four

So, that report about outfielder Joey Gathright signing with the Jays on Thursday was false. Turns out he signed with the Blue Jays today instead.

The news that Toronto had parted ways with catcher Raul Chavez by non-tendering him on Saturday night? Well, they did that, but they brought him back on a Minor League contract on Sunday.

Gathright and Chavez will both be brought into camp this spring with a shot at a spot on the Opening Day roster. Gathright might be in the mix for that vacant leadoff spot, and Chavez is in the running for the same backup catching role he filled for most of last year for Toronto.

The Jays are likely still looking at outfield and catching options, though. Chavez is now off the 40-man roster, meaning there are no catchers on that list. Toronto might be looking for another backup option to go along with their new starting catcher. Ryan Doumit and Mike Napoli are the names most recently tied to the Jays inn trade speculation.

Beyond the moves involving Gathright and Chavez, the Blue Jays also avoided arbitration with utility man Jose Bautista and pitcher Dustin McGowan on Sunday. Bautista will earn $2.4 million — the same salary he had last year with Toronto — and McGowan will make $500,000. McGowan has pitched since 2008 and he remains a big question mark heading into the spring.

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